Saturday 16 January 2021
- Bible Book:
- Romans
The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (vs 10-11)
Background
In this chapter Paul is continuing his teaching about law and grace. He is answering those who claimed that focussing on the grace of God to forgive sin would lead to an increase in moral irresponsibility. The concern was that people might say, "Well if God is going to forgive me, I can do anything I want!" Paul argues that if we have truly accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and experienced his forgiveness then we will not want to deliberately live in sin any longer, but will want to leave our old patterns of behaviour behind.
Paul uses the example of baptism. In the Early Church, baptism often followed closely behind conversion and baptising believers by full immersion would have been a dramatic visual symbol of a person dying to their old way of life, being buried and rising again to new life in Jesus. Paul reminds us that if we are made new in Christ, we will now long to live to God’s glory.
I know that in my own life, God has forgiven me for some of my old patterns of behaviour and with his strength and help I seek to live in a way that brings glory and honour to Jesus. However, there are times when I fall, and revert to old thought patterns, attitudes and behaviours I thought were dead and buried. Thankfully, because of God’s great love and grace I can keep coming back to him for forgiveness and as Paul writes later in Romans, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (8.1)"
I am so thankful for God's gift of grace in my life, which restores and renews me daily until the day I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown through Christ my own!
To Ponder:
- Are there areas of your life where you are deliberately living in disobedience to God’s will and purpose for your life?
- Do you need God’s help to set down old patterns of behaviour and live in the new life Christ offers?
Prayer
Thank you Jesus that by trusting in your death and resurrection we can be forgiven for the past and live a new life in Christ. Please forgive us for the times we have taken advantage of your grace and give us the strength to live in a way that brings you glory and honour. Amen.